Janet Yellen will join the ranks of the most powerful economic policy makers in the world next month, taking the helm of the Federal Reserve at a time when the central bank is assessing its unprecedented steps to buoy the U.S. economy, the Wall Street Journal reported today. Yellen, currently the vice chairwoman of the Fed's board of governors, will become the first woman to lead the central bank in its 100-year history after the Senate voted to confirm her yesterday in a 56-26 vote. Eleven Republicans joined 45 Democrats to support her; no Democrats opposed her. Ben Bernanke will preside at the Fed's policy meeting Jan. 28-29. His last day as chairman is Jan. 31. Ms. Yellen is expected to be sworn into office Feb. 1 and lead the Fed's policy meeting in March.
